heisingmethode

The heisingmethode, often translated as the "Heising method," refers to a specific technique used in radio transmission, particularly during the early days of wireless telegraphy and telephony. It is named after German engineer Constantin Heising, who developed and patented it around 1913. The primary purpose of the heisingmethode was to improve the efficiency and stability of amplitude modulation (AM) transmitters.

At its core, the heisingmethode utilizes a tuned circuit that is actively controlled by the modulating signal. This control is achieved by varying the plate voltage of the final amplifier tube in the transmitter. The modulating signal, typically from a microphone, is applied in such a way that it influences the grid of a separate tube, which in turn controls the power supply voltage feeding the main transmitting amplifier. This creates a more direct and efficient coupling between the audio signal and the radio frequency output.

Compared to earlier methods of modulation, the heisingmethode offered several advantages. It resulted in a cleaner signal with less distortion and spurious emissions. It also allowed for a more constant output power, which was crucial for reliable long-distance communication. The method was particularly effective with triode vacuum tubes, which were the standard for radio transmission at the time. While vacuum tube technology has largely been superseded by solid-state electronics, the principles behind the heisingmethode influenced subsequent developments in AM modulation techniques.